CTG

Question 1

What 4 ways can we use to monitor the foetal heart Rate?

Answer 1

• pinnards stethoscope
• ultrasound scan
• CTG (cardiotocograph)
• foetal doppler

Question 2

What 3 things does a CTG scan measure?

Answer 2

1. The foetal heart rate
2. The duration of a mothers contractions
3. The frequency of a mothers contractions

Question 3

What acronym can we use to help us analyse a CTG scan? What does each letter stand for?

Answer 3

DR C BRAVADO 
DR- define risk 
C- contractions (duration and frequency) 
BRa -baseline rate 
V- variations 
A- accelerations 
D- decelerations 
O- overall

Question 4

What should a baseline foetal heart rate be?

Answer 4

Between 110 and 160 bpm

Question 5

What does variability indicate on a CTG scan? How much variability are we looking for?

Answer 5

Variability is the change in the foetal heart rate over time. Variability is a positive sign as the foetal heart rate is bound to change with contractions.
Variability of more than 5bpm is reassuring.
Variability of less than 5bpm for between 40 and 90 minutes is non reassuring.
Variability of less than 5bpm for longer than 90 minutes is abnormal.

Question 6

What is defined as an acceleration in a CTG reading?

Answer 6

A baseline increase of more than 15 bpm for longer than 15 seconds.

Question 7

What is defined as a deceleration in a CTG reading?

Answer 7

A baseline decrease of more than 15 bpm for longer than 15 seconds.

Question 8

At what rate does the cardiotocograph print?

Answer 8

1cm per minute

Question 9

What does FSE stand for in relation to monitoring the foetal heart Rate?

Answer 9

Foetal scalp electrode (a metal hook which is attached into the scalp of the foetus to measure the foetal heart rate with increased accuracy).

Question 10

When do we advise continuous CTG monitoring? (3 reasons).

Answer 10

If there is suspected sepsis in a woman.
If the woman has a severely high blood pressure.
If the woman’s temperature is above 38 degrees.